Review: Sigma Makeup Brushes

Last October, I purchased my first "professional" makeup brushes. Again, I'm a sucker for the hype of products, and after seeing TiffanyD's review on the Sigma makeup brushes, I bought them. I purchased the "Complete Kit w/o Brush Role" for $79.00 + shipping. Plus, I also bought the Small Duo Fiber Brush SS187(F55) and the Kabuki.

I have a few MAC brushes, and after hearing all of the good things about how comparable Sigma Brushes were to MAC, it seemed like a steal. 12 brushes for $79... I would have spent that on maybe 2 MAC brushes!

My opinion - Sigma Brushes are really nice. I wouldn't say that they are exactly the same as MAC brushes. They're a little different, but work just as well and have held up very nicely. Some of the brushes do shed, specifically the SS187 and SS150 (Large Powder Brush). But I have had no issues with brushes bleeding or anything like that. Overall, I definitely want the Professional Kit... but as of now, I'm not willing to shell out the cash for it.

One difference since I purchased my brushes is that Sigma has changed the name on all of their brushes. When Sigma first launched their line, their brush names copied MAC. MAC has a 219, Sigma has the exact same brush named SS219. Basically, Sigma just copied all of the MAC names, but added an SS to it. Which for me, made things easier since I'm familiar with MAC Brushes. I liked it. However, now all of the Sigma brushes have new names. The small duo fiber brush that I have is named SS187 and now is called the F55. All of their face brushes now have a F followed by the number, while all eye brushes have E followed by the number. I know that Sigma got a lot of criticism for copying MAC's names, so maybe they changed because of that? I don't know for sure. All I know is that Sigma Brushes are excellent quality and worth the price.

It's Orgasmic

Back in February, I fell into the hype of Nars Orgasm Blush. I caved in, and bought it because of all of the awesome reviews on it and celebrity endorsements. Orgasm is a beautiful pinky/peach blush, with a very light gold shimmer,(it doesn't come off as super shimmery or anything, so don't worry). Just the other day, some natural sunlight hit the pan and I could see the gold reflects in it. It really is quite lovely. I've been using it every day for the past 5 months, and still haven't hit pan. Pretty impressive.

Now for the downfall... $26 for a blush is a little spendy in my opinion, especially when there are some pretty good dupes out there. Mary Kay's Mineral Cheeck Color in Strawberry ($10) had been my staple, and it's pretty darn close to Nars Orgasm. Also, ELF has a few blushes ($2-3) that also resemble Orgasm.

If your like me and just need to try the real one for yourself, go for it. It's a great product, very pretty and buildable. But honestly, it's nothing too special. I don't know if I'll be repurchasing or not... maybe I'll try something new... who knows.

My New Baby

This post really doesn't have to do anything with beauty, makeup, or fashion... however I guess it kind of helps me stay up to date with all of it, haha... It's about my new baby... my HTC EVO.

I am so in love, it's not even funny. I've had a blackberry curve for the past two years, and really I have no complaints, (other than the track ball). I liked my blackberry, but I didn't know what I was truely missing out on until I got my little EVO.

Ever since apple released the iphone... I wanted one! BAD! However, if your like me, and don't have AT&T service in your area... you can't have one. Major bummer. So I settled for my blackberry, but now... I basically have an iphone... but this one is carried by sprint! FINALLY!

The HTC EVO is everything I ever wanted in a phone. Yes, it is quite a bit larger than my blackberry, but that doesn't bother me at all. The large touch screen display is beautiful. The 8 mega pixel camera takes great pictures, and it even has another camera built into the front, so you can take pictures from all angles. I was a little weary about having a touch screen, but it acts EXACTLY the same as my ipod touch. The internet browsing speed is super fast and the apps are so cool! I am so in love... I don't think it's left my hand since I got it... other than sleeping, of course. My recommendation is that if you aren't able to get an iphone, the HTC EVO is the next best alternative... maybe even a better alternative :)

It's a 10!

After receiving this product for Christmas from my sister (who happens to be a hair stylist), I can honestly say that after using this for the past 7 months that I have found one of my holy grail hair products. I had always been a huge fan of Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid, and don't get me wrong, I still like it. But after I ran out of it, I didn't repurchase... instead I used my It's a 10. Now the packaging is nothing special, but inside that orange and blue container is a miracle worker!(And for $14 - $20 for 4 oz.... it should be!) This product is seriously a 10 for your hair!

It has 10 Miraculous benefits:
~ weightless shine
~ softens course hair
~ improves elasticity
~ potent antioxidant
~ environmental protection
~ anti-humidity minimizes frizz
~ thermal protection
~ imparts control and manageability
~ seals and protects hair color
~ locks in moisture

Is there anything else you really need from a hair product?!?!? All I can say is that I'm in love with this product... the only downfall: they have a complete line of hair care and I want to try them all!



It's a 10's website (http://itsa10haircare.com/hairsite/) explains that all of it's products:

1.Work with curly or straight hair
2.Are appropriate for both thick and fine hair
3.Offer excellent conditioning
4.Deliver dramatic results
5.Enhance natural shine
6.Strengthen stressed strands
7.Are safe for color-treated hair
8.Reduce the need for multiple hair care products
9.Include naturally derived ingredients
10.Are salon tested and proven

If you're anything like me, then you have a huge stash of hair products in your bathroom... a few hairsprays, foams, gels, serums, smoothing creams, spritzes, heat protectants, curly hair care, straight hair care, you name it... I've got a product for everything, x2... or 3! Think about how much money you could save from this line... if it works for curly and straight hair? Hmmm...From shampoo to shine serums... what should I purchase next... it's a tough decision!

Back to School Shopping List

August is fast approaching and one thing is on my mind... new clothes! As of this moment... here is what I'm thinking I need:

#1: Black Blazer

The Black Blazer is definitely a must have. You see celebrities like Kate Moss, Rihanna, Cameron Diaz, etc. wearing them constantly. They'll definitely be great for fall as it starts getting a little cooler out. Plus, layering is so in right now. Pair it with a cute tank and skinny jeans and I'm out the door!

#2: White Blazer

Just as with the Black, the White Blazer is a closet staple. Kim K has definitely been wearing this look, a lot. It's very classy and sheek. Again, paired with a cute tank and jeans or leggings and you look completely put together.

#3: Brown Dress Pants

For work, these are a must. I have plenty of grey and black pants, but I'm definitely needing a pair of nice brown pants. These are work friendly, yet stylish with a low rise and a flared leg. These are from express and retail for $49.90.

#4: Khaki's

Now Khaki's aren't exactly my favorite style of pants, but with my line of work they're nice to have. They're comfy and can be worn with basically anything. This pair is from the Gap for $34.99. They look nice and can be dressed up or down. They have a slimmer flared leg, which I like, because they look a little more sophisticated and dressy.

#5: Black Pumps

Again, another staple. I always seem to have plenty of black boots, but never just a solid pair of black pumps. I love these by Sofft. For a healed shoe, these are SO comfortable. I can stand and walk around all day, and never get sore feet. They're a little on the spendy side, $107, but well worth it. I own 4 pairs of Sofft shoes and all look and feel brand new, even thought I've had them for over 3 years.

#6: Jeans

A girl can never have too many jeans, right? I just bought some jeggings from Express last month, so no more skinny jeans for me. I'd like either a pair of wide leg or flares, in a darker wash. Silver jeans have always fit me the best and for $50-$80 a pair, their pretty reasonable for a great pair of jeans that fit well and will last. I've always been tempted to spend a bunch on a pair of 7's or Miss Me... just cause I love the back pockets. Hmmm... who knows what I'll come home with... lol!

Yikes!

Yikes! It's been quite a while since my last post... and truly, I have no excuse for it. To be honest... I've been trying to save money and that has definitely limited my hauls. :( But now, as we reach mid summer, I'm getting excited for the fall season of clothing and makeup! How fun! In the following weeks I'll be doing my "back to school" shopping! (What a great excuse to spend that cash I've been saving from odd summer jobs!) And I can't wait!

MAC v. Mary Kay Eyeshadows

Before I begin this, I'll start with a little background information about myself. I've always liked makeup. I started wearing it in 7th grade (that tacky light blue covergirl eyeshadow! haha). By the time I was in high school I started wearing foundation and adding a little mascara and eyeliner. It wasn't until college that I really fell in love with cosmetics. My husband's aunt sold Mary Kay, and ended up talking me into becoming a consultant. I didn't do too much with it, but made a little extra money while going to college. I started using Mary Kay products in high school, as one of my mom's friends sold it and my mom had always been a loyal MK customer, along with my grandma and aunts. So I used their skin care system for a little bit and their makeup. Now, I swear by everything Mary Kay. I use the whole skin care system and my face has never ever been better. (I suffered from pretty bad acne, used Proactive, Neutrogena SkinID, AcneFree, Murad... you name it, I tried it.) And now, after using the MK Timewise skin care line, my skin is clear and healthy. Along with skin care, I also use all MK foundations, liquid and powder... and now I swear by their products.


Now the only downside of being a MK consultant, is the fact that your supposed to use all MK products... so shopping for the latest beauty remedy doesn't happen much... until now. There's been so many fun products and packaging that I've branched out to try other brands. Specifically, I've been trying MAC.


With all the hype with MAC, I told my husband that I wanted a filled MAC pallet for my birthday... and that's what he gave me. I love all the color selections that MAC has, but now that I have them and have used them, I still fine myself reaching for my MK mineral eyeshadows. The color pay off with both companies are good, but I find MK eyeshadows to be a lot easier to blend. I just love them, and so far no company has compared to the quality of MK eyeshadows. And for the same amount of product (0.05 oz) at $6.50... they're a whole lot cheaper than MAC eyeshadows. So I feel like I've kind of waisted some money on MAC. Overall, I think that the MK eyeshadows are better quality and easier to use... and less expensive than MAC eyeshadows. The only thing that I think MAC does better is in their packaging and color selection.

Now I'm just talking eyeshadow here. I haven't tried all of the other fun MAC products that are out there. I love MAC lipsticks and their mascara. Plus, it's always fun to try something new. They only thing that I'm saying is that I don't think that MK gets much credit in the beauty world. Mary Kay is no longer your "Grandmother's Makeup"... Trust me!

AprilAthena7's Beauty Blog Contest!

Here is one of the coolest contests that I've seen in a long time. There's a whole bunch of stuff you can win. Definitely click on the site and read about all of the goodies you can win! http://aprilathena7.blogspot.com/2010/03/lush-nyx-hello-kitty-accessoriessigma.html

Fav: Best Shampoo for Long Hair?

I have thick, long hair that reaches down past the middle of my back. It has a lot of body, with natural waves that I usually straighten. I've been keeping it at this length for about the last 6 years, so my top priority is making sure that my hair stays healthy. I always get the occasional split ends, which I trim about every 6 months, but overall, my hair is pretty healthy. In order to keep it this way, I've been in search of a great shampoo. And by accident this fell into my lap:

Silky Sexy Hair: For Thick/Course Hair

My sister has long, fine hair and got this as a present. After a few uses she said that it made her hair too greasy, so she gave it to me to try... and I fell in love. It smells fantastic. Very fruity. And the conditioner is my favorite part. It's super thick and creamy and really helps to make my hair feel soft. I've been searching for something like this for a very long time. Even my husband uses it! (He says he likes how soft the conditioner makes his hair!)

Here's what Sexy Hair has to say about the product: "Strengthens and smoothes while gently cleansing to leave thick/course hair soft and radiant. Rich and luxurious ultra-moisturizing formula, and polishes cuticle and prevents frizz. Fragrance: Mango /Pear. Special Ingredients: Silk, Rice Proteins, Soy, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Avacado Oil. Tips: Can be used daily. Works well on colored, bleached, chemically-relaxed and ethnic hair. Great for Extensions! Follow with Conditioner."

Definitely check this out!

Review: Sally Hansen Chapped Lip Repair

I bought this product a few years ago at a drug store. My lips had been driving me crazy and I was basically buying anything that involved repairing lips. So I got the Sally Hansen Chapped Lip Repair, used it for a little while, and then forgot about it. A couple months ago I rediscovered this product, as it was lying in the bottom of my work bag. I took it out, applied it, and threw it into my desk. Now, everyday while I'm at work, I take this little miracle worker out of my desk and apply it in the morning and after lunch. It keeps my lips extremely soft and hydrated throughout the day. I can't believe that I waited this long to see what this little tube was all about!


Sally Hansen Chapped Lip Repair on bare lips


Now, there's nothing magical about the packaging. It's plain, simple... and kind of boring. But what's inside the packaging is what really matters. It has a subtle hint of vanilla. It goes on clear and leaves your lips with a glossy look and it has a "cooling" effect as it sits on your lips. I believe that this little product is being discontinued... so if you can find it.... pick it up! I believe it retails for about $2.00-$3.00.

NV Beauty Giveaway!

Check out NV Beauty's newest Giveaway:

http://nvbeauty.blogspot.com/2010/03/skinmd-shielding-lotion-natural-give.html

You could when a bottle of SkinMD Shielding Lotion Natural!

TAG - 40 Beauty Questions

Lollipop26 just did this... and I thought it was interesting, so here I go:

SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice.... sometimes 3 times if I work out and got sweaty.

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Normal

-What is your current facial wash?
MK Timewise 3-1 cleanser

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes, about once a week if I remember.

-What brand do you use?
MK Microdermabrasion system

-What moisturizer do you use?
MK oil-free hydrating gel... it never makes me feel greasy or shiny. And my skin is never dry or flaky. I love it!

-Do you have freckles?
Yes - they aren't very noticeable until summer.

-Do you use eye cream?
Nope

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes, but it's gotten a lot better in the past couple years.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
Yes! It worked wonders the first 2 years I was on it, and then it seemed to do nothing. Bummer.

MAKE-UP
-What foundation do you use?
MK full-coverage liquid foundation (B304) and MK mineral powder foundation (B1.5)

-How about concealer?
MK signature concealer in Ivory 2

-Do you know your undertone color?
Nope... not real sure.

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I think they look fun, but I've never worn them.

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I usually judge my mascaras on their texture. When they start to get dry and clumpy I throw them out.

-What brand of mascara do you use?
MAC and MK

-Sephora or MAC?
Probably Sephora... there are just so many choices at Sephora.

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Beauty Blender, Sigma Brushes (their my fav), and of course... my fingers.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yep, I depending on the day I'll switch between my NYX eye primers, Bare Study Paint Pot, or NYX jumbo pencils in Milk or Black Bean.

-For the face?
Sometimes... Smashbox Photo Finish... but I really don't get all the hype around it.

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
MK Mineral Eyeshadow in Espresso

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil... I'm too messy with liquids.

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never have.

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
They're beautiful!

-Do you use mineral makeup?
Everyday

-What is your favorite lipstick?
MAC Angel

-How about lipgloss?
Nars Turkish Delight

-What is your favorite blush to use?
MK Strawberry Cream or Nars Orgasm... they're very similar.

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Nope

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Depends. I always find myself being disappointed with their products.

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Maybe once or twice a year.

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Yes... but no time for them.

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
No, not really. I'm a perfectionist.

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Over tweezed eyebrows.

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I'm more of a neutral type of girl, but I love playing with color.

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
The Kardashian's are definitely my inspiration when it comes to makeup. They just always look so flawless.

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Eyeshadow... depending on the color you could use it for eyeliner too.

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, but I don't really like to. It makes me feel a little insecure when I see people I know.

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Sometimes. Especially in the summer when my skin is good and I have a little tan.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
I really don't know. There are so many makeup lines with exceptional products that others don't have...
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-What do you think of Makeup?
I love it. It helps me get up in the morning when I know that I get to "play" a little before going to work. It's an obsession and a hobby that I find relaxing and fun.

Now it's your turn... Copy and paste on your blog!

Hope Giveaway

You've got to check out: http://frailheartsofhope.blogspot.com/2010/02/first-giveaway-featuring-lush-mac.html
for an awesome give-away. Become a follower and all of this can be yours!

LUSH The Comforter Bubble Bar
LUSH Melting Marshmellow Moment
LUSH Creamy Candy
LUSH Honey Bee Bath Bomb
LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel (Limited Edition!)
LUSH Snow Fairy Solid Perfume (Limited Edition!)
MAC Florabundance Lipglass
Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter
Christina Aguilera Signature Body Lotion
MAC Small Zip Up Makeup Case (From the Graphic Garden Collection)
LUSH soap samples: Honey I washed the Kids, Rockstar, Sultana of Soap, Angel's Delight, Godmother

Good Luck!

Review: Bare Essentials Buxom Lash Liner

Alright... I've never been a cream or liquid liner kind of gal. I'll maybe use them every once in a while, when I feel like trying something new or playing around with a new look. With the whole "lash enhancing craze" that's been happening over the last year(s) I decided that I wanted to try a lengthening/lash enhancing product. So while I was at Sephora over the weekend I picked up the Buxom Lash Liner in Leatherette and I must say... I love it. It's $15 for a 2 gram jar. And for someone whose not a pro at cream liners, I found it extremely easy to use. The pigmentation is great and it lasts all day. Plus... IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR LASHES:

Here's what Sephora says:

"Lash addicts beware: Buxom Lashliner is highly habit-forming. This may look like just a liner, but it's also a thickening and conditioning treatment that instantly takes the appearance of your lashes from hardly any to very many. This mineral-rich, paraben-free, whipped gel formula glides on like a liquid liner and dries to a long-wearing smudge proof eyeliner. The formula is made with natural ingredients, including vitamins A, C, and E; Honeysuckle; Jojoba Oil; Soy Protein; Tourmaline; and Biotin (vitamin B), which support healthy lashes. In one fluid stroke, you can fill in the base of your lashes—making them appear lusciously longer and fuller. This product is ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearers. The result: Healthy, lust-worthy lashes that have no limits."

So far... I'm loving this! I'm definitely up for healthier lashes!

*Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me and I am in no way affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned.

Newbie

So I'm totally a newbie when it comes to the world of blogging. I have an obsession for cosmetics and everything that it deals with... which my husband and family do not understand. Because of this I've wound up finding the wonderful world of beauty blogs and youtube beauty gurus... and I can literally say that I have become OBSESSED! I have a small makeup collection that is slowly growing out of control (in my mind)... yet I'm constantly purchasing more and more, as the glares from my husband create a sheepish, yet guilty, smile on my face. So here I am... hopefully I have found a niche. :)